Early voter turnout breaks records; Multnomah County to certify November 3, 2020 General Election by November 23

November 4, 2020

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Contacts: Tim Scott or Eric Sample, 503-988-VOTE (8683)

Adding to an extraordinary year, Multnomah County Elections wants to thank the hundreds of thousands of community members who cast their vote in the November 3, 2020 General Election. 

Adding to an unprecedented year, Multnomah County Elections wants to thank the record-breaking hundreds of thousands of community members who cast their vote in the November 3, 2020 General Election.

As of 11:55 p.m. on Election Night, Tuesday (Nov. 3), voter turnout reached 80.34 percent with 458,824 ballots cast. The trajectory of voter turnout surpassed November 2016 early in this election cycle and continued to grow as the 8 p.m. deadline approached.  

Typically, 50 to 60 percent of the total ballots cast in an election are reported by 8 p.m. on Election Night in Multnomah County. But ballot processing will continue today, with results updated at mcelections.org. The next update is at 6pm on Wednesday Nov. 4.  

“We expect that voter turnout will climb as we continue to process ballots. By the Thursday after the election, 97 percent of ballots cast are typically counted, with the results regularly reported as counting finishes,” said Tim Scott. “We think final voter turnout will hit an historic mark.”   

The Nov. 3, 2020, General Election fell in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic and faced unique challenges. The number of election officials who help process ballots and perform other duties, was reduced to adhere to physical distancing measures and reduce the risks of disease transmission. 

But even with fewer people processing ballots this year, election officials worked tirelessly to ensure that every eligible voter had the opportunity to vote and that each voter had the tools they needed to have a voice in this important election. 

Voters were also able to cast their ballots — with options to do so at 30 Multnomah County Official Ballot Drop Sites and two voter service locations.   

“This year, more people understood the processes of vote by mail —  from when the ballot is produced to when it’s cast and counted. And more than 165,270 people also signed up for Multnomah County’s Track Your Ballot service,” said Scott.  

Final election results for Multnomah County will be formally certified 20 days after the election. The Oregon Secretary of State then certifies results statewide 30 days after the election. 

The next scheduled election in Multnomah County is the May 18, 2021 Special District Election. 

November 3, 2020 General Election Key Dates

  • Nov. 23: Final official election results for Multnomah County are certified.

  • Dec. 3: Last day for Oregon Secretary of State to certify results.

Main office:

Multnomah County Duniway-Lovejoy Elections Building

1040 SE Morrison Street, Portland OR 97214

Gresham location:

Closed - We will see you in May for the May 18, 2021 Special District Election

Voting Center Express at the Multnomah County East Building

600 NE 8th Street, Gresham OR 97030

Phone: 503-988-VOTE (8683)

Email: elections@multco.us

Website: www.mcelections.org